Building Belonging: Prioritizing Mental Health in Ohio Schools

By Farah Siddiqi
Ohio News Connection

As Ohio students head back to school, mental health experts are highlighting the importance of belonging in the classroom.

A national poll from the Kids Mental Health Foundation revealed nearly half of parents are concerned excessive screen time might be preventing children from forming meaningful connections at school.

Ariana Hoet, executive clinical director of the Kids Mental Health Foundation and a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, said the start of a new school year is different for every child. Some may be really excited, while others may be really nervous.

“As kids head back to school, what really matters is this feeling of fitting in, of belonging, of being connected to their school culture and community,” Hoet said.

Hoet said as students face challenges, from social anxiety to post-pandemic adjustments, creating a classroom environment where they feel safe and connected is vital. Open communication between parents and teachers about a child’s strengths and concerns can provide the support they will need to thrive.

Tyanna Snider, a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, said it is important to notice symptoms of mental health concerns in children and adolescents, especially during the back-to-school season when increased stressors may arise.

“Watching out for changes in functioning – their child’s mood, stomachaches or headaches or feeling nauseous, difficulty sleeping – changes in behavior,” Snider said. “All those things might happen every now and then, but when those things are starting to get in the way of everyday life, that’s when we really want to make sure that we’re seeking out some additional help.”

Hoet said teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the classroom environment. Their relationships with their students and their overall influence can significantly affect students’ mental health and sense of connection.

“The teacher has the power to change dynamics in the class,” Hoet said. “Create activities so that kids can connect with others to teach about empathy, kindness.”

She said collaboration between parents and teachers is crucial for creating a supportive environment to enhance academic success and students’ well-being.

Pictured at top: According to more than 1,000 parents surveyed nationally, the top challenges in forming classroom connections are too much time with technology (50%), bullying (30%) and the social effects of the pandemic (22%). (I/Adobe Stock)

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.